Mahdi Ali will have a final look at his players in a friendly against Kuwait today at the Robina Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia, before their meeting with Qatar in their Asian Cup opener on January 11.
The Emiratis edged Jordan 1-0 in their friendly on Tuesday, and Mahdi Ali will hope his players can take that momentum forward in their build-up for the continental championship, which gets underway with hosts Australia facing Kuwait on Friday.
While the UAE coach has set his objective of deciding on a probable line-up, one man who is cherishing his return to the big stage is the goalkeeper Majed Naser.
The Al Ahli goalkeeper has been left out of the national team in recent years for disciplinary reasons but is expected to fill the void left by Ali Kasheif, who is not in the squad after being called for national service.
It is Naser’s third Asian Cup, and he expressed his delight at being back on international duty.
“It is a new challenge for me,” he said. “What had happened earlier with my behaviour is behind me. I am looking forward to give my best for my team and my country.”
Naser played in the first half in the win over Jordan, and he is expected to start against Kuwait and wear the captain’s armband.
“A win is a win, whether it is a competitive or friendly game,” he said. “A good result gives the players the confidence and motivation and, hopefully, we can achieve another good result over Kuwait when we get to the business end in Australia.
“This team have more quality than the one I played in 2007 and 2011. I am confident of a good performance and, if provided the opportunity, I would like to play a major role in it.”
The UAE face Qatar and Bahrain in Canberra before closing play in Group C of the Asian Cup against Iran in Brisbane.
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
